May 24 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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Don't get overly excited as the "devil is in the details", but Markham will soon begin re-opening the City.
Markham Council has had many informal discussions regarding safely re-opening. See the "More Space, More Options, More Rules" section below for the beginning roll out. Thanks to all who have been offering suggestions as we try to move forward.
We learned this week that long serving City of Markham Planner Gary Sellers passed away from cancer. Gary was a true professional, respected by all who worked with him. I mention this as this year's Terry Fox run for cancer research will go virtual. See below for more details.
As I predicted, developers are already making requests for more density and more height. At tomorrow's Development Services Committee we will be dealing with the Sheridan Nurseries site on Highway 7. Currently approved for 1225 units within two 20 and one 25 storey buildings, they are now the second developer to request a 47 storey building this time with 2000 unit density. This represents a 63% increase in units! I am hoping your elected representatives will realize that this is NOT the place for that kind of height or density.
Stay in touch.
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In this issue
- Markham Starts Reopening
- Terry Fox Goes Virtual
- $20 Native Trees
- Evergreen Walk Goes Virtual
- Markham Life
- Markham Music Festival
- Tree Maintenance Program
- Protect Yourself from Ticks
- Non-medical Cloth Masks
- Buy Local
- MPL from Home
- Markham Board of Trade
- Virtual Varley
- Who Should I Contact?
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - Toogood Goes One Way
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Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest.
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Looking for more information?
Any of the
blue text,
blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
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Click here
to read the previous edition of
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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The City of Markham will be reopening some of its outdoor facilities in a two-stage approach. The following outdoor spaces and amenities reopen to the public as of May 28:
- Outdoor tennis courts with new rules
- Sports fields including soccer and baseball not for team play
- Skateboard parks
- Off-leash dog parks
- Park benches, park shelters and picnic tables
Facilities to reopen on June 5, 2020 include:
- Community gardens
- Recycling depots
More options for outdoor activities will be available soon. It is important to maintain the rules for social gatherings of more than five people and maintaining physical distancing of 2 metres.
- no team sports are allowed
- no permits will be provided by the City of Markham for sports fields
- playgrounds and basketball courts will remain closed in order to limit close contact
- cultural venues will remain closed (Varley Art Gallery, Markham Museum, Flato Markham Theatre)
- likely no summer camps
- continued closure of all of our community centres until September at the earliest
- parents should start planning for alternate arrangements, although the City is considering modified and limited programming options
- all large-scale City supported events are cancelled until August 31
- City parks and trails remain open but not playground equipment
Markham has one of the lowest percentages of community spread and this staggered approach will try to balance the reopening of community resources while trying to avoid a second wave.
More information
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The 2020 Terry Fox Run has moved on line to a virtual run for this year. Registration is open. There are 2 run "locations" in the City with one in
Markham-Unionville
and the other in
Thornhill
.
Register for the 2020 Virtual Terry Fox Run. One Day. Your Way. Sunday September 20, 2020. This year, participate from wherever you are! Around your neighbourhood, backyard, down the street or around the block. Walk, Ride, Run.
In these uncertain times, the one certainty we have is that cancer is not waiting for COVID-19 to be over. This year, Canadians will unite in spirit, not in person, for their own version of the Run. Terry Fox Run 2020. One Day. Your Way.
The Terry Fox Foundation has a number of things planned in the upcoming weeks. More information can be found
here
.
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Take your outdoor space to the next level.
LEAF
is offering 2 to 3 foot tall native trees for delivery right to your door. These small-sized trees are easy to plant, hardy and well suited for a variety of soil and sunlight conditions. Helpful resources guide your species selection and provide tips on planting and care. Order now and get them in June. Hurry, supplies are limited.
Learn more
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Walk, run, step, dance or whatever, in support of
Evergreen Hospice
which provides palliative care and bereavement support for people living in Markham, Stouffville and Thornhill.
Open from now until May 30th, you can sign up and get sponsors or create a team to raise money for bereavement counselling and support in your community.
Details of the
Virtual Memorial Walk can be found
here
.
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Markham Life magazine is the City of Markham's Official Publication and the City's community parks and recreation guide. It contains all of the information Markham residents need to know about the City.
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June 19 - 20
This will be the 43rd year of the Festival and
since the street version of the Markham Village Music Festival is not possible this year, the organizers have decided to go fully online in the first ever
virtual
version of the festival.
There will be more than 50 amazing music and dance performances that cross the span of genre and cultures. Plus there will be local business profiles, a virtual vendor village, historic Markham moments, a Beat-Box battle and much more! Additional information
can be found
here.
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The City of Markham is ahead of schedule for its new
Tree Maintenance Program and has al
ready completed 76% of planned pruning.
This program will improve sight line visibility for pedestrians and drivers, while clearing space along roads and sidewalks by removing dead, damaged, vulnerable and overhanging branches from City owned trees. Throughout the Spring through Fall on an ongoing multi-year cycle, trees will be pruned to meet public safety and road safety standards including reduced hazard risk, height clearance for foot and vehicle traffic, and visibility of traffic signs and streetlights. Properly pruned trees live longer, healthier lives and they contribute to the City's goal of achieving 30% canopy cover.
You can report damaged street trees and request street tree service online at
markham.ca/trees
. Requests will be assessed and prioritized according to safety standards.
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Many of us are eager to head outdoors for physical activity and fresh air. The warmer weather makes this a great time to get outside, but it also means it’s time to take precautions against the bite of blacklegged ticks.
These ticks are found in York Region and their bite can spread Lyme disease. Learn to protect yourself with tips and information on ticks and Lyme disease -
here
.
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If you can't practice physical distancing, guidance suggests that you should wear a non-medical cloth mask. Physical distancing remains the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wear a two-layer cloth mask in situations where physical distancing may be challenging, such as while on transit or in smaller stores.
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Some of the local markets are open and the farms are taking measures to ensure your health and safety while continuing to provide healthy, local food.
York Farm Fresh has compiled a list of all the local York Region farms that are open, closed, or partially closed currently. Check
their website
for updates and ways to continue to buy local.
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The Markham Public Library continues to offer many programs, virtual meetups and other resources for both kids and adults.
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The MBT continues to be a great source of current information for local businesses. This week they are hosting two Zoom events.
The MBT is working to help local businesses with resources to
access updates and other information that you need to know. MBT has also set up a website
Are You Open?, to support Markham businesses. Use it to find out what's open and where you can buy locally.
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Isolation Creations - Week 3
Visit the Varley to pick up your FREE Isolation Creation kit! Organized by the Varley Program team, these kits are suitable for ages 6+ to senior citizen.
This week use print making to produce your art creations. Follow the simple instructions in the kit to make fun and unique designs that you can re-use. Draw a self-portrait, or an abstract design. Share a picture of your final artworks using #varleyartgallery.
Pick up is at the Varley Courtyard on Tuesday May 26 between 10am and 12pm (first come, first served).
- virtual lunch and learn - May 27 - 12:30 pm - register now
- $1,000 Wallace Joyce Scholarship - Do you know a York Region high school student who will be graduating this year and going on to pursue post-secondary education in art, design or a related field? The Varley-McKay Art Foundation will be awarding a $1,000 scholarship to one student - apply now - deadline to apply May 31
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What level of Government can
help
?
False information continues to spread about COVID-19. Please use official sources to verify what you have heard or read. The best sources of official updates are noted below. The
City's page helps to decipher who to contact about various issues.
Below are some links mentioned - click on the
blue
text to access updates and resources
COVID-19 Assessment Centres
- check their website for specific hours
Federal or Provincial issues, please contact your local Member of Parliament or your Member of Provincial Parliament.
Upcoming Meetings
- May 25 - virtual Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
- May 26 - virtual Council Meeting - 1pm - details
- May 28 - virtual YR Council Meeting - 9am - details
- June 1 - virtual General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
- June 2 - virtual Development Services Public Meeting - 7:00pm - details
- June 3 - virtual Housing York Meeting - 9am - details
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We have been holding all meetings virtually including York Region Council meetings. Details of this and upcoming YR meetings and other information is available
here
.
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- Are you caring for someone with COVID-19? - details
- COVID Myths and Facts - details
- Region receives donation to help vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19 - details
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Community Meetings and Events
As it stands now, most upcoming events have been cancelled.
Once new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.
- Upcoming Markham Public Library Events - here
- Upcoming Varley Gallery Events - here
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to
dhamilton@markham.ca
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If you have a question, please email it to me.
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Question: I noticed "One Way" signs around Toogood Pond yesterday. What are they there for?
Answer: A resident suggested that for COVID safety for those that use the narrow bridge and narrow wooden walkway at Toogood Pond, a "One Way" system be introduced. Local Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine and staff agreed and are trying this one way system to see how it works.
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Working together to make Markham better!
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